C.H.I.P. is the Raspberry Pi rival that's only nine dollars

The Raspberry Pi is a heck of a deal at just $35 but now there’s a new option that significantly undercuts the foundation’s popular PCB. Meet C.H.I.P., a tiny barebones system billed as the world’s first nine dollar computer.

Developed by Next Thing Co., this open source microcomputer is powered by a 1GHz Allwinner processor alongside 512MB of RAM and 4GB of storage. It features both 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0 connectivity and uses a built-in composite output (or VGA / HDMI with an adapter) to supply video to a wide array of displays.

There’s even an optional docking station of sorts known as Pocket C.H.I.P. that allows you to use the computer away from home.

C.H.I.P. comes with a Debian-based OS (it can run any Linux-based OS) and comes pre-installed with a handful of apps with thousands more to choose from. Unlike other hobby boards, this caters both to makers and the average Joe wanting an extremely cheap computer to surf the web, check e-mail, play games, get work done and more.

It’s not going to set any speed records but keep in mind, it costs just nine bucks.

Next Thing Co. has already blasted past its $50,000 Kickstarter funding goal. With 28 days remaining, they’ve already raised more than $252,000 and better yet, there are still units available at the $9 price point. For a bit more coin, you can add a battery, VGA or HDMI adapter, Pocket C.H.I.P., and more.

The first wave of $9 C.H.I.P. systems are expected to ship to backers this December.